5 Best Fertilizer for Norway Spruce (for Growth Only)

They’re large! And, they grow even faster! So, you gotta watch out for that length climbing high. Well, for that to happen, you need to facilitate the entire growing process. And, you got it right, we’re talking about the Norway Spruce. 

Norway spruce has many medicinal benefits. There is clinical evidence for its use to treat skin infections and wounds.

But we plant these trees in the garden or near our home to use them as a windbreaker. Or for their beautiful greenish pyramid shape. 

But, we’ll need fertilizers to help these trees grow faster and healthier. That’s why we present you with the best fertilizer for Norway spruce after intensive testing of 2-3 weeks.

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Undoubtedly, these will make your trees green and strong.

We tried to keep a variety in the types of fertilizers. And, yes, each of them provides loads of benefits to your Norway Spruce.

We’ve even tried to enlighten you on the basic concept of fertilizers for the Norway Spruce. You’ll find all about it at the end. 

Let’s just move directly into the article to know about the fertilizers-

1. Jobe’s 01661 Fertilizer Spikes

At A Glance

  • Fertilizer Type: Fertilizer spikes
  • Apply: Early Spring & Late Fall
  • Item Weight 14.1 ounces
  • Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 9.5 x 2.75 inches

The First fertilizer on our list is the Jobe’s 01661 Fertilizer Spikes. For Norway spruce, this is the best fertilizer available in the market because of its superior features.

Let’s look at why we’ve selected it as our most favorite and why it’s unique from the rest- 

The uniqueness of this product is the fertilizer type! This product comes in the type of pre-measured evergreen fertilizer spikes. This fertilizer spike will reach the active roots of the Norway spruce. Hence, the tree will be greener and stand stronger while facing winds. 

If you ask us then we’ll tell you that the main benefit of applying fertilizer spikes is that the fertilizer spikes are easier to handle. Moreover, they’re even easier to store than granular fertilizer sacks. 

Here, the use of fertilizer spikes can stimulate biological activity in the soil. Thus, it will promote disease resistance and pest resistance.

Oftentimes, people think that once a tree is grown we might think that it won’t need any fertilizer anymore. This is a wrong idea. A shrub or tree always needs a continuous supply of nutrients to grow. 

So, spike fertilizer is the best way to provide them with nutrients. 

Besides, the Norway spruce grows in acidic soil. And the spikes of “Jobe’s Evergreen Fertilizer” are for all acid-loving plants and shrubs. 

It’s no secret that beautiful, healthy trees enhance the appearance of your yard. So, to make them healthy use these fertilizer spikes.

The roots of the Norway spruce will get the best nutrition through the spikes. Therefore, these spikes will ensure that the tree gets a continuous supply of nutrients.

And, they will supply the tree below the surface because this is where the tree’s active roots grow. 

Other than that, this is time-release fertilizer. It will slowly release the nutrients thus it will last all season. Again, the slow-release solution acts at the active roots of your trees.

On the other hand, the Jobes fertilizer spikes are super easy to apply. In fact, anyone can apply them to the ground.

There will be no wasteful runoff or any type of mess while applying them on the surface. Additionally, there is no bad smell either. 

First, you have to water the area of the tree. Then you will need a hammer to make the job easier. Then find the drip line of the Norway spruce. 

After that, apply the spike directly under the drip line. Next, place the spiky or pointy side of the spike fertilizer on the ground. 

Now, aim for the plastic cap with your hammer. And start hammering it into the ground.

After that keep a distance of 3 meters and keep placing the spikes circularly. Easy right? Anyone can do that without any professionalism in gardening. 

Lastly, if you want to keep a specific time frame about the application process then you’ll need to apply the fertilizer on the Norway spruce in early spring and late fall. 

2. BioAdvanced 701700B Fertilizer

At A Glance

  • Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 3.7 x 11.3 inches
  • Item Weight: 4 pounds
  • Kills 40+ listed insects  
  • Fertilizer Analysis: 2-1-1
  • Time for Application: Fall 

The “BioAdvance Insect Killer & Fertilizer” is the second product on our list. And, let me tell you, this product is one of a kind! We’ve made this product runners-up for no reason! 

Additionally using this fertilizer is easier and it will be very effective in terms of protecting your Norway spruce.  

The most unique part about this fertilizer is that it is not just a fertilizer it also kills tree-destroying insects. That’s not it, the fertilizer even protects your trees or shrubs for 12 months or almost a year. This product will be the food and protectant of your Norway spruce both in a single package. 

If you don’t like to use insecticides separately then this fertilizer will definitely help you. As we have mentioned before, it will kill insects while feeding nutrients to your Norway spruce. 

Therefore it will protect your tree from more than 40+ enlisted insects. It will also prevent future new pest infestations. We assure you this product will be the best protector available in the market. 

Furthermore, the fertilizer is not only for outdoor trees but also for container trees or shrubs. Here, the fertilizer will move from the root to the stem than to every leaf to supply them with nutrition. 

Now, the effectiveness of this fertilizer is huge. It can protect your tree for around 12 months. If you apply this fertilizer once in the fall you don’t have to use it in spring and summer. Because this fertilizer will provide nutrients for a whole year. 

This product follows a different style compared to the first product. Here, the previous product was a time-release fertilizer. But, the BioAdvance fertilizer is a slow-release fertilizer. 

The slow-release fertilizer, basically, has a coating around it. This coating breaks down due to sunlight, water, or soil microbes. 

 The advantage of slow-release fertilizer is that it won’t overdose on your plant. Hence it will get the nutrition gradually and effectively for a long time.

Therefore, slow-release nitrogen fertilizer spreads throughout the plant, from the roots to the branch tips. 

Let’s move on to how to apply this fertilizer. To use this, dig a trench around your tree as directed and fill it with the granules. You have to appropriately spread the granules around the Norway spruce. 

As we know, Norway spruce is a single trunk tree. So you have to apply ¼ cup of granules for every 1 inch of the trunk circumference. 

To summarize, this fertilizer and plant food will assist your Norway spruce to thrive. And, you can definitely go for this option because it follows a different style. Plus, it’s easier to apply too. All you gotta do is wait and observe! 

3. X Andersons Professional PGF Fertilizer 

At A Glance

  • Item Weight: 18.28 pounds
  • Package Dimensions: 17.63 x 13.54 x 4.25 inches
  • Fertilizer Analysis: 16-4-8
  • Application Time: Any Season

The third one on the list is Andersons Professional PGF Fertilizer. Just like its predecessor it also has some great features. The fertilizer will surely enhance the growth of your Norway spruce.

The uniqueness of this fertilizer is that it has Humic DG particles. This will help to improve soil health. And the plant can have better quality soil. Thus, the plant will get more nutrients to grow faster and stay healthier. 

Here, the Humic DG is a highly concentrated carbon-based, organic soil amendment that comprises 70% fulvic acid, humin, and humic acid. It is created with Dispersible Granule (DG) technology, which is patented by The Andersons. 

When each Humic DG granule comes into contact with water, it disperses into thousands of tiny particles. Now, these particles go directly into the root zone. Then the granules provide instant benefits to the soil and plant.

All types of soil can benefit from this fertilizer Humic DG technology. Which can also help to reduce watering requirements. It promotes water storage and minimizes evaporation in sandy soils. It allows for deeper water and root penetration in clay and other dense soils.

Also, this improves nutrient absorption and fertilizer efficacy. Added to this, the beneficial soil bacteria feed on the carbon is given by Humic DG.

And, the nutrients become much more conveniently available to the plant when microbial activity is increased.

Besides, this fertilizer has a higher concentration of organic acids and trace minerals. Which increases root mass, seed germination, overall root, and root vigor, as well as plant health.

This product is easy to apply. Before anything, remember not to apply prior to rainfall. So that the particles will not wash away with the rain. 

Now, let’s look at how to apply in brief. First, you have to mow the area. Then adjust your spreader to the recommended rate.

You can see the spreader setting on the packet to know the rate you should use. For every 1000 sq ft, you should use 3.6lbs of fertilizer. 

Now, apply the granules in the foliage. Furthermore, for evenly spreading of the fertilizer, walk at a steady speed. That’d be it, basically.

Lastly, this fertilizer is also a slow-release just like its predecessor. So, it will feed the Norway spruce for 8 weeks. You should apply the fertilizer every 7-8 weeks in the growing season of the trees.

4. Miracle-Gro Plant Food

At A Glance

  • Product Dimensions:4.25 x 13.5 x 7 inches
  • Item Weight:8.56 pounds
  • For Beginners 
  • Fertilizer Analysis: 18-6-12
  • Application Time: Early Spring & Late Summer 

Miracle-Gro Plant Food is number four on our list. This fertilizer will provide a sufficient amount of nutrition to your Norway spruce. And, it will increase the greenery of the trees while making them stronger. 

As we all know Norway spruce is a very good windbreaker, this fertilizer ensures that it’ll stand high and strong. Enough of the description, let’s look at why it’s unique- 

The most unique thing about the Miracle-Gro plant food is that it’s formulated with kelp, feather meal, earthworm castings, and bone meal. These particles feed the microbes of the soil. Then the Microbes break down organic materials into nutrients that promote root health and growth. Thus it also increases water efficiency.

Kelp is high in micronutrients. It also aids in the opening of root systems in trees, allowing the trees to better absorb nutrients from the soil. Moreover, Kelp is a strong bio activator too. So, it facilitates the breakdown of compost and therefore improves soil conditions.

Besides, the minerals found in earthworm castings include high nitrates, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium. That can boost plant production, protect trees from disease, and improve soil moisture retention.

Whereas, Feather meal provides more constant plant growth whether utilized indoors or outdoors.

Nutrient enrichment happens immediately, followed by a long, gradual feed that provides widely accessible nitrogen while lowering the risk of nitrogen burning.

Another benefit of this fertilizer is that it’ll supply calcium production. Calcium is provided by bone meal to your trees.

Here, the calcium promotes root growth, promotes strong roots, and assists in the prevention of blossom end rot. Other soil amendments can be balanced by using bone meal too.

Well, the soil is as important as sunlight and water. This plant food will enrich the soil and make sure that your tree gets all the nutrition it needs.

If you want to get the utmost result keep applying the product every three months.  

The fertilizer contains essential micronutrients for flowering plants, trees & Shrubs. Similarly, other natural elements are also present to nourish both above and below the soil. 

Moreover, this fertilizer is developed for shrubs, flowering trees, and other acid-loving trees to keep deep, lush green foliage. And also helps in colorful blooms the entire season. 

It can be used in containers or outdoor plants. “Miracle-Gro Plant Food” will feed your plants for up to three months. You will get the best results soon after applying this fertilizer.

The application of Miracle-Gro plant food is as easy as the earlier fertilizers. Start by spreading appropriately within the dripline of your Norway spruce. 

Do not pre-mix it with water. Likewise don’t apply in wet piles or foliage of the trees. Spread this fertilizer dry. That’s it, nothing more! 

5. Schultz Slow-Release Plant Food

At a Glance

  • Type: Slow-release
  • Size: 3.5 lbs
  • Product Dimension: 12 x 10 x 7 inches
  • Fertilizer Analysis: 12-6-6
  • Application Time: Any Season

The last product on our list is the Schultz Slow-Release Plant Food. If you think this plant food is any less than its predecessors then you are mistaken, my friend.

This one just came last on our list. Still, it’s one of the best fertilizers in the market, we believe that. 

The uniqueness of Schultz Slow-Release plant food is that it contains nitrate nitrogen. Plants use nitrates to obtain nitrogen, which is required to produce proteins for healthy growth. Nitrates in water are absorbed by plants via their roots. This plant fertilizer contains significant quantities of nitrates.

Now, the amount of chlorophyll in leaves might decrease when there is a lack of nitrates. This causes the leaves to turn a yellow or pale green color. 

Therefore, it limits the plant’s capacity to photosynthesize and grow properly. So, to enhance nitrate levels, you can use the “Schultz Slow-Release Plant Food”. 

This plant food also contains iron. Iron assists in the movement of oxygen throughout the plant’s leaves, roots, and other sections.

Resulting in a greenish color that indicates a healthy plant. Iron is also required by many plants to fulfill the enzyme processes that keep the plant alive.

This plant food will help your Norway spruce grow greener and stronger. It will feed your tree or shrubs for 3 months. 

Moreover, it is a slow-release fertilizer. So, there is a coating around the fertilizer granules that slowly breaks down and supplies nutrition for long 3 months. Keep applying after every 6 weeks. 

It also promotes vigorous root growth. Vigorous root growth and dense and long root hairs will ensure the effective absorption of macro-and micronutrients. This will happen during the early growth of your Norway source. 

How and When to Fertilize Norway Spruce? 

best fertilizer for norway spruce

First, you have to understand if your spruce even needs fertilizer. Because fertilizer should be applied only when spruce shows signs of nutritional deficit. Or maybe it has a poor growth rate. 

After analyzing if you think it needs to be fertilized. Then you should apply fertilizer in the early spring to reap the best benefits.

Before and after fertilization, give a spruce enough water. This is very essential but if you are using any fertilizer that is granules. Be careful while watering the tree because the granules might wash away. Thus you will get no result. 

If the nitrogen application rate is no more than 2 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Then a drop spreader can be used to distribute the fertilizer over the ground, under and slightly beyond the spruce branches. 

After that, thoroughly water the area. A higher rate of application using this method could result in the burning of any neighboring grass or vegetation.

Another way to apply fertilizer is by boring holes in the ground 2 feet apart in concentric circles. That commencing 3 feet out from the trunk of a larger spruce.

Or slightly closer for young trees is an alternative fertilizer application method ideal for fertilizing larger plants. 

Furthermore, soak the area surrounding the tree well. Then use an auger or metal rod to make holes 2 inches across and 8 to 12 inches deep. 

Next, fill the holes with fertilizer at a rate commensurate to the fertilizer’s nitrogen content or as suggested on the label.

Now, if you’re using a 10-8-6 fertilizer, put 2 1/2 tablespoons in each hole; if you’re using a 21-0-0 fertilizer, use only 1 1/4 tablespoons in each hole.

Or read the instructions on the fertilizer package. Because each of the above fertilizers is unique and can be applied differently. 

What Happens When You Fertilize Norway Spruce? 

Spruce trees do not require a lot of phosphorus and will gain the most from an acidic fertilizer developed for evergreens or a high-nitrogen fertilizer with a formula like 10-8-6 or 12-6-4.

Now, compost, cottonseed meal, alfalfa meal, and fish emulsion are all organic fertilizer choices. As they decompose, 3- to 4-inch layers of organic material should be applied such as shredded bark or well-rotted compost. 

These will conserve moisture and also control soil temperature, and give nutrients to the soil. After that, the trees can get the required nutrition from the soil.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is the best way to fertilize a Norway spruce tree?

Answer: Fertilize the Norway spruce tree once a month, starting when new growth appears in the spring. Apply a 20-20-20 fertilizer at the recommended rate on the package.

Fertilization should be stopped in August. Check for mite infestations on the Norway spruce.

Question: When should I fertilize my spruce trees?

Answer: A 5 foot wide Norway spruce would cover 25 square feet. Fertilizer “maintenance rates” of 2 to 4 pounds actual nitrogen per thousand square feet of the soil surface.

You can apply every two to four years, which is normal. One pound of actual nitrogen is probably adequate for mature, slower-growing trees.

Question: How can evergreen trees be turned greener?

Answer:  Your evergreens may have trouble absorbing nutrients in highly sandy locations where the soil pH is more basic. If your trees appear to be unusually pale green, they may want some nitrogen.

Never put fertilizer in your evergreens’ planting holes directly. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or one formulated specifically for evergreens if you want to fertilize at all.

Question: How effectively does the fertilizer Spikes work?

Answer: Spikes work by slowly releasing nutrients into the soil. Hence these organic and natural solutions only introduce high-quality nutrients into the soil.

Therefore, Bacterial and Fungal activities cause the release. This action increased resistance to disease and pests in the trees. 

Question: What is the significance of root growth?

Answer: Root development is crucial for the establishment of newly planted seedlings. Stress occurs when the root system of a newly planted seedling is unable to give enough water to transpiring needles.

In order to maintain a proper water balance and assure survival.

Final Words

These are the best fertilizer for norway spruce. With any of the fertilizer above you can make your Norway spruce greener and healthier as well. None of the above products will make you disappointed. 

Just select the best product you need for your Norway spruce.

GOOD LUCK!

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